【Mini Column】Three staff members select the rain shoes they're curious about.

Sometimes it drizzles gently all day long from morning to night, and sometimes it isn't raining when you leave home only to get caught in a downpour on your way back. This kind of weather really makes you feel the tsuyu (rainy season), and sudden evening showers are also a hallmark of the summer that's just around the corner. With this in mind, now feels like a good time to reconsider rain shoes. This time, we asked the staff at Shogakko Soko, who handle these products every day, about the rain shoes they're currently interested in.

"They're great for rainy days and sunny days alike"

Staff member N:Rain Shoes Loafer / FOX UMBRELLAS

These rain shoe loafers from FOX UMBRELLAS, a prestigious British brand known for rain gear, have a design that hardly looks like rain shoes at first glance. The natural rubber material offers excellent stretch and abrasion resistance, and the sole is highly waterproof and durable, making these a pair you can wear with confidence.

Staff member N: "I chose the loafer type because it lets you enjoy wearing your favorite socks even on rainy days, and it gives off a polished, put-together look. Since it's made of natural rubber, if you're worried about dirt, you can just wipe it off with a cloth or towel to keep it looking fairly clean, so maintenance is easy too. There are a lot of days this time of year when it's not raining in the morning but you feel a bit uneasy about it, and these shoes let you go out with peace of mind on days like that. They're useful even on days when it's not raining."

Usual size: Pumps 22.5, Sneakers 22.5-23.0

Width size: B / Foot length: 21.5cm, Foot width: 8cm, Foot girth: 20cm

>> Size chosen: 22cm／UK3 (22–22.5cm)

"I chose my usual size.It might be difficult to wear thick socks with these, but that's not an issue during this time of year. Even though it's a British brand, it's designed with Japanese feet in mind, so I personally don't think you need to worry too much about sizing. The width was a perfect fit, and there was just a tiny bit of extra room in the length—it was just right. Since the toe narrows slightly, it holds your foot securely in place. My heel would lift a bit while walking, but the shoe never came off."

"I was drawn to the look, but the high-performance leather and sole gave me peace of mind too"

Staff member I:TRAVEL SHOES Women's High-Cut Sneaker Rain WH/CA / chausser

Leather isn't usually the go-to choice for rainy days, but chausser's TRAVEL SHOES are leather shoes made suitable for rain through special processing. During dyeing, fluorine resin is worked into the fibers to boost strength and waterproofing, and the surface is finished with a waterproof treatment on soft leather. The result is a shoe that repels water while still allowing air through to maintain breathability—an ideal quality for rainy-day footwear.

Staff member I: "I was drawn to the somewhat nostalgic color combination and the cute silhouette. This time of year, rain tends to make your feet feel cold, but the reassuringly thick leather that wraps around your whole foot puts my mind at ease. It has a Vibram sole, so it grips well too—these are high-performance rain shoes you'll want to reach for especially on slippery rainy days!"

Usual size: Both pumps and sneakers, 24.5cm

Width size: E / Foot length: 24cm, Foot width: 9.5cm, Foot girth: 23.5cm

>> Size chosen: 40 (25cm​)

"My feet are wide with a high instep, so the instep felt tight, and I went up one size from my usual. You can fine-tune the fit with the laces, so I think it's fine to choose a slightly larger size. It holds your foot securely in place, and since it's high-cut, there's no worry about even your socks getting wet, so you can head out feeling good. Rainy days can make you feel a bit down, but it's also nice that the design suits my taste."

"With a strap, both the size and the fit were perfect"

Staff member T:Rain Shoes Opanak Strap IVORY / OPANAK

OPANAK was born in Serbia. The brand's origins date back to 1935, when it began making agricultural footwear using rubber material at a time when leather shoes were the norm. Since the brand was built with functionality in mind, its shoes are more durable than those typically found in the apparel industry. This IVORY color has only recently gone on sale.

Staff member T: "On rainy days, I used to often choose darker colors so dirt wouldn't show, but since these shoes are easy to wash, I deliberately chose a bright color this time. I like the gentle, cream-like tone and the smooth texture of the material."

Usual size: Pumps 23.5, Sneakers 23.5-24.0

Width size: B / Foot length: 23.5cm, Foot width: 9cm, Foot girth: 21cm

>> Size chosen: 36 (24cm)

"I chose one size up from my usual pumps size, with wearing socks in mindWith regular-thickness socks, they fit perfectly in both width and instep, with about 2cm of room at the toes. When wearing them barefoot, it seems like adding an insole would work well too. I also like that punching the strap holes to match my own size makes them feel like a pair of shoes made just for me. Having a strap is nice too, since it keeps them from slipping off. They brighten up your feet, so it seems like fun to coordinate them with different socks.」

The three of them each chose a different style, but it seems everyone found a pair that suited their own taste. Rain shoes can shape how you spend—and how you feel on—a rainy day. If you have any questions about sizing, texture, or anything else before purchasing, please feel free to contact our customer support team.

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